Guys and gals, y'all need set of rules tailored to your activities. With that in mind, we locked copper in a small, musty, dark room with only a candle, one piece of paper, a quill pen, a slice of cheese, some dry, crusty bread, and a jar of ink. Three weeks later, we let him out and pretty much ratified his suggestions with minimal changes. Thanks, dude!

Fan Fiction Rules

No promoting your story in another fic's thread without permission

DO NOT use another forumite's Original Character unless you get permission and credit them for it. It is just rude to do so. If the problem arises, the fic will be destroyed utterly.

Follow Forum Rules, especially those concerning couples and the ratings.

PG13 means little to no blood. death is allowed, but do not describe it in too much detail.

Do not criticize unless asked. Some people need encouragement first. It is okay to ask permission to criticize.

No spamming threads or bumping them just because you like the story.

Got questions? Wanna talk about this? Reply!

_________________I can be whatever you want me to be, which sounds really creepy, now that I think about it.

Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:53 pm

Coatl_Ruu

Joined: Sun Jan 02, 2011 9:56 pmPosts: 1451Location: [REDACTED]

Re: Write Like A Writer: Fan Fiction Guidelines

When I saw the title of the thread, I expected there to be something in here about ... ah ... attempting to use proper English. <_< *ducks*

Anyway, I don't think I've violated any of these rules, so I'll just be on my merry way. =3

uh...got a question, in a fanfic, how far could i go with....some stuff relating to...uh...(god how do i wanna say this)...homosexuality without breaking the rules and by that i mean like can i still just treat it like basic relationships in other fanfictions, or should it just be a miniscule hint toward it

_________________Peanut has a Facebook!!!It takes a REAL genius to do something truely stupid!-MEWanna play a game with me on steam? PM me

Tue Sep 27, 2011 8:04 am

simple things

Joined: Fri Jul 29, 2011 12:29 amPosts: 267Location: Up the gutter, onto the tree, up to the roof, and onto neverland. <3

Re: Write Like A Writer: Fan Fiction Guidelines

Well, i am guessing you could describe the persons feelings to the other. You know the whole cheesy, i feel like i have butterflies in my stomach when ever i am around you. Or how the persons smell appeals to who ever is that is in love. Their feelings basically.

By the way, this is a good thread, should be very helpful to others beginning to write.

ok, wasnt specific enough i guess, could i go far enough as a kissing thing happening, or would i have to have an interruption

_________________Peanut has a Facebook!!!It takes a REAL genius to do something truely stupid!-MEWanna play a game with me on steam? PM me

Tue Sep 27, 2011 10:13 am

Sleet

Bringing Foxy Back

Joined: Thu Apr 29, 2010 1:32 amPosts: 16047Location: Nephelokokkygia

Re: Write Like A Writer: Fan Fiction Guidelines

Helmetzid wrote:

uh...got a question, in a fanfic, how far could i go with....some stuff relating to...uh...(god how do i wanna say this)...homosexuality without breaking the rules and by that i mean like can i still just treat it like basic relationships in other fanfictions, or should it just be a miniscule hint toward it

I don't have any authority in this forum, but I've talked with those who do, and in order to keep this environment friendly, clean, and free from drama and arguing, this is basically when homosexuality is allowed in stories:

-Homosexuality is not treated as a theme in any sense (example: stories about how the other pets conspire to keep a same-sex couple apart are not allowed; if the story would still work if the characters were of opposite genders, it's okay)-It stays appropriate and unoffensive (even if the works are not remotely pornographic, it's still possible to squick people)-It is done without breaking character any more than necessary (all of the characters are straight; if you're going to break this aspect of a character, you'd need to do your best to make them act like themselves in other ways)

This is not a place to paste Housepets! characters into your cookie-cutter gay romance stories. This is a place to post fan fiction (and other fan works) based on Housepets! But if you insist on having characters of the same gender romantically involved, we can't stop you as long as you stick to the guidelines provided.

I've decided to rate my fanfic PG. However, since I'm a foreigener, I don't know what exactly I should avoid to not break the rating. I understand that there cannot be any blood, excessive violence, swears, but I don't know am I missing something. Can you please bring me closer the exact description of PG rating. I will be really greateful and it would help me a lot to avoid unintentional mistakes

_________________

I'm a bookworm!Currently reading: "The Three Musketeers" by Alexandre Dumas

I've decided to rate my fanfic PG. However, since I'm a foreigener, I don't know what exactly I should avoid to not break the rating. I understand that there cannot be any blood, excessive violence, swears, but I don't know am I missing something. Can you please bring me closer the exact description of PG rating. I will be really greateful and it would help me a lot to avoid unintentional mistakes

Housepets is a REALLY good peg on PG, if too good. PG implies that while there won't be any explicit content that would offend someone at any level, there may be implications.

_________________DOH HO HO WELL THEN

Tue Sep 27, 2011 7:50 pm

Sleet

Bringing Foxy Back

Joined: Thu Apr 29, 2010 1:32 amPosts: 16047Location: Nephelokokkygia

Re: Write Like A Writer: Fan Fiction Guidelines

Language and sex cannot be any worse than what Rick does with Housepets! Violence you're given a little more leeway on, though gore and more than a little blood (small, nosebleed-level wounds that aren't described in detail are presumably fine) are not allowed.

Wording. I understand swearing is absolutely forbidden. But such words like heck or darn are acceptable for PG rating or it's better if they won't appear?

Other than one or two exceptions, the words allowed on this forum are perfectly within the PG range. The only exception I can think of is "Hell", which, used excessively as a curse word, might push you higher in rating.

Thank you Your answers took the weigh off my chest. Now I won't be afraid to use those words in my work.

_________________

I'm a bookworm!Currently reading: "The Three Musketeers" by Alexandre Dumas

Sat Oct 01, 2011 5:39 pm

MilesKingford

Re: Write Like A Writer: Fan Fiction Guidelines

I thought that I might make my own fanfiction but there were some questions that I would like to ask before I create anything:

- How independent can the fanfiction be?

For example; would I have to follow the webcomic with the fanfiction or is it alright to split from Rick's storyline? Or could I take a point in the past (lets say when Pete arrived) and change the story at that point (by changing what happened and thus where it led to).

- What exactly is meant by "Drama"?

Do you just mean; Politics, Religion, and so on. Or do you also mean that there can be no excitement like action (not violence but...action), plot twists, revelations and so on.

- And do we have to follow the new strips when posted? (If we have to follow alongside Rick's storyline).

- And if we have to follow the new strips then what about clashes? (Do we have to change the storyline of the fanfiction, or would it be fine to continue as normal)

I just wish to be clear so I can fit my story around the webcomic if that is necessary, and be sure I would not have to repeatedly change and edit the storyline of the fanfiction.

Fri Oct 14, 2011 9:00 am

TensaZangetsu

Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2011 7:53 pmPosts: 2484Images: 0Location: Meh

Re: Write Like A Writer: Fan Fiction Guidelines

This is why I don't do fanfic's, they have too many rules, and are too complicated! I'll try to do one, but will fail more epicly than that time I tried soccer. Ya know what, I'll do one, just to see how it goes... Wish me luck

_________________To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world

I thought that I might make my own fanfiction but there were some questions that I would like to ask before I create anything

The storyline of Rick's comic does not have to be perfectly followed (only Rick could do that). It is up to you how canon you want your story to be. So taking a point in time and spinning an alternate reality from that point is totally cool.

As for drama: just don't put drama inducing subjects into your work. (See homosexuality reference above)Another example: Your characters can follow a religion, they can practice their religion; however, if it starts becoming a focal point of the story or the story becomes a soapbox from which to preach, it will alienate readers who do not follow this religion (and even some who do). When people feel alienated, bad emotions start flowing around and the drama begins.So while your characters might go to church and some scenes might take place there, don't start "preaching" to your readers.Also note: if your characters do a lot of religious practices "on screen", you might want to question if the religion truly is not a focal point.

Really the rules can be boiled down to: "Always Do What's Right!" with the sub rule: "If you're not sure, it's probably not right."But then people start looking for loopholes and hitting all the moral grey areas just cause they can. So we have rules.

_________________

Fri Oct 14, 2011 10:39 am

Dissension

Devil Skirrl

Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2008 5:42 pmPosts: 8314Images: 0

Re: Write Like A Writer: Fan Fiction Guidelines

Obbl is exactly correct. Thanks, dude!

_________________I can be whatever you want me to be, which sounds really creepy, now that I think about it.

Fri Oct 14, 2011 11:38 am

Daggy

Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 9:31 pmPosts: 776

Re: Write Like A Writer: Fan Fiction Guidelines

TensaZangetsu wrote:

This is why I don't do fanfic's, they have too many rules, and are too complicated! I'll try to do one, but will fail more epicly than that time I tried soccer. Ya know what, I'll do one, just to see how it goes... Wish me luck

There really aren't THAT many rules. They're more guidelines (per the title), and they're also fairly common sense. It shouldn't really become a big deal for most of the fanfics people make. A couple will skirt the borderline, but that's bound to happen regardless.

Just don't do something that wouldn't be appropriate in public and you'll be fine!

Fri Oct 14, 2011 5:47 pm

TensaZangetsu

Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2011 7:53 pmPosts: 2484Images: 0Location: Meh

Re: Write Like A Writer: Fan Fiction Guidelines

Umm... Define "Innapropriate" By public standards.

_________________To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world

Sun Oct 16, 2011 5:30 pm

FowlJ

Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:21 amPosts: 81

Re: Write Like A Writer: Fan Fiction Guidelines

TensaZangetsu wrote:

Umm... Define "Innapropriate" By public standards.

Basically, follow the PG -- or PG-13 if you label your fic in the title-- rating, and be careful around topics that are inflammatory, like religion and politics. Mind the forum rules, and you're pretty well good to go.

And if you aren't sure about something? Ask. You won't be burned at the stake for it.

_________________

Sun Oct 16, 2011 6:07 pm

TensaZangetsu

Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2011 7:53 pmPosts: 2484Images: 0Location: Meh

Re: Write Like A Writer: Fan Fiction Guidelines

I sill feel nervous asking for help.

_________________To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world

Sun Oct 16, 2011 6:08 pm

FowlJ

Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:21 amPosts: 81

Re: Write Like A Writer: Fan Fiction Guidelines

And it's fine to be. What I recommend to you is to just do the story within the rules to the best of your ability. If there is something wrong with it, the problem will be politely pointed out to you and a suggestion may be offered as to what you can do instead. The guidelines in this thread are excellent, and I think that you will do great. Just remember the obvious stuff.

_________________

Sun Oct 16, 2011 6:32 pm

copper

Puppy Wrangler

Joined: Tue Sep 28, 2010 8:18 pmPosts: 6352Location: Florida

Re: Write Like A Writer: Fan Fiction Guidelines

TensaZangetsu wrote:

I sill feel nervous asking for help.

If you are worried, i can beta read for you. There are mods here for a reason.

I would love to see anything you write. It is great to hear that there will soon be more fics to read! And yes, the rules are not overly complicated. No need to make them so. If you are still nervous, just read a few fanfics, get an idea of what is the norm. That's what I did.

_________________My charactersEverybody has a story to tell. What's yours?

Guys and gals, y'all need set of rules tailored to your activities. With that in mind, we locked copper in a small, musty, dark room with only a candle, one piece of paper, a quill pen, a slice of cheese, some dry, crusty bread, and a jar of ink.

copper wrote:

*shivers* It was dark and damp, and they gave me a quill pen but no ink. I had to use crimson ink I made to write those rules!!

one of you is lying. or you just didn't see the ink they gave you.

_________________I'm a shape-shifter. I'm currently in whatever form I feel likeParadigm Shift by meI do not actually believe any of what I'm saying.RP character sheets

I know for a fact that Copper was indeed put in the basement to write these. I don't know the specifics. their statements are in such a way that one has to be true. either he got ink, or he didn't.

_________________I'm a shape-shifter. I'm currently in whatever form I feel likeParadigm Shift by meI do not actually believe any of what I'm saying.RP character sheets

Mon Oct 17, 2011 1:42 am

TensaZangetsu

Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2011 7:53 pmPosts: 2484Images: 0Location: Meh

Re: Write Like A Writer: Fan Fiction Guidelines

Ok so I think I got the hang of it. Now I just need to proofread it, then make a topic. Hey was it ok I used OC's in the first chapter, and am waiting to start showing people from housepets in the second chapter?

_________________To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world

Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:26 am

FowlJ

Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:21 amPosts: 81

Re: Write Like A Writer: Fan Fiction Guidelines

TensaZangetsu wrote:

Ok so I think I got the hang of it. Now I just need to proofread it, then make a topic. Hey was it ok I used OC's in the first chapter, and am waiting to start showing people from housepets in the second chapter?

The first chapter of my story wasn't even set in the Housepets universe - You're just fine. (As a matter of fact, a fan-fic doesn't even have to follow characters of the story, though the vast majority do.)

_________________

Mon Oct 17, 2011 11:56 am

TensaZangetsu

Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2011 7:53 pmPosts: 2484Images: 0Location: Meh

Re: Write Like A Writer: Fan Fiction Guidelines

Oh that's good to hear.

_________________To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world

Mon Oct 17, 2011 12:59 pm

Rollofthedice

Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2011 10:08 pmPosts: 231Location: Texas

Re: Write Like A Writer: Fan Fiction Guidelines

What if I have a fanfiction currently in progress, but also have finished a one-post story unrelated to my fanfiction's plot and theme? Would it be acceptable for me to make another thread about that short story, or should I incorporate it into my original fanfiction thread?

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests

You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot post attachments in this forum